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Our Mission  

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we build and maintain teams of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. We are currently looking for a Foundation Relations Assistant Director to support and advance the work of the Foundation Relations team that is based on our Medical Campus. 

Foundation Relations at Boston University

Boston University (BU) typically receives about $70 million annually from private philanthropic organizations (i.e., foundations, organizations, associations, and societies). These funds support the University’s scholarly and scientific research, educational initiatives, and community outreach. The Foundation Relations (FR) team plays a central role in soliciting these donations.

Position Description

The Assistant Director of FR will be a member of the University’s 10-person FR team at BU and, by extension, the DAR staff. This position will be based on the BU Medical Campus (BUMC) and play a key role in increasing foundation funding for the three BUMC schools: the School of Public Health, the Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. The Assistant Director reports to the Senior Director of FR for BUMC and works alongside the Senior Director of FR for the Chobanian & Avedisian School, and the Foundation Relations Associate for BUMC.

The primary responsibility of the Assistant Director is to identify, cultivate, and solicit foundation prospects for gifts and grants of $100,000+. The Assistant Director also helps the BUMC FR Senior Directors and the Foundation Relations Associate to support the work of the central FR office on the University’s Charles River Camps (CRC) and BUSM’s development team. The content focus of this position’s work will be the life sciences and public health.

Responsibilities:

• Assist academic leadership and faculty to respond to foundation RFPs, nominations for research awards, and other similar funding opportunities as appropriate. This will include, but not be limited to:

• identifying local, national, and international foundation prospects for the life science and public health projects that have been approved by chairs, directors, and deans;

• formulating and implementing strategies for engaging prospects in relationships that lead to funding and funding opportunities;

• preparing formal and informal letters of inquiry (LOIs), proposals, and some associated pre- and post-award documentation; and

• collaborating with DAR’s and FR’s multiple data analysis strategies to enhance the competitiveness of faculty for grants.

• • Key to these activities is the establishment of trust, regular rapport, and long-term relationships with academic leaders and faculty in departments across BUMC through regular individual, group meetings, and periodic departmental presentations to ascertain the alignment of their academic strengths and funding aspirations with the grant-making agendas of our prospective donors.

• Assist the Senior Directors to: (1) manage a portfolio of University foundation prospects focused on the schools on the BUMC; (2) arrange, coordinate, and participate in cultivation meetings with foundation officials; (3) prepare briefings for prospect visits for appropriate University representatives, including the president, provost, deans, and faculty; debrief and follow-up on visits and meetings, and (4) organize periodic funder-faculty informational webinars.

• Keep current with trends in the foundation community by using the web and other database listings, noting grant opportunities, and attending foundation webinars/information sessions.  Formulate and communicate the annual foundation plan/goals with a variety of internal stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience

• Prior experience in fund-raising, ideally in foundation relations

• Good organizational, analytical, communication (verbal and written), and problem-solving skills

• Academic or professional background in the life sciences or public health

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on multiple projects simultaneously

• Ability to interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals and handle confidential material responsibly.

• Knowledge of donor database applications, Excel and Word

• Ability to learn University proprietary development software and databases and similar industry tools. 

  But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:  

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.  

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.  

• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.  

• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.  

• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.  

• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter. 

  If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

  To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/ .

  We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

  If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience